Is it okay for chickens to get soaked?

[5lovelyhens]

My buff insists on being outside in this rain and her feathers are soaked. Will it make her too cold? Should I dry her off and keep them in their coop? I have tendancy to Baby my hens... Hahah

 

[cavemanrich]

It is not good for chickens to get wet when cold. They can develop hypothermia. They are not like ducks and chicken feathers do absorb water. I would do all possible to keep them dry. A little drizzle would not be as bad as an extended rain period. Why take a chance, dry is best.
WISHING YOU BEST

 

[junebuggena]

If she has shelter available, but still chooses to be out in the rain, she's not going to get herself too wet. They are good about finding dry spots when they need them. My flock is always out in the rain.

 

[Caleb999]

I find my hens refuse to go inside when its wet. As long as it's not cold at all, and they have a warm dry place ready for them, its not too bad. My hens haven't gotten sick so far, (cross your fingers!) Good luck

 

[BBQJOE]

I once went to Macarther park, and someone left my chicken out in the rain.

 

[Peeps61]

I once went to Macarther park, and someone left my chicken out in the rain.

Did their icing run? As in, cake out in the rain? Ha ha!

 

[Peeps61]

On the topic of chickens in the rain, mine choose to remain in the rain quite often. When they're ready, they come under the barn and into their coop for shelter and warmth. It doesn't seem to do them any harm.

 

[N F C]

We get quite a bit of rain here in north FL. About half of my flock will head inside the coop when it comes down heavy but the other half just carry on their usual business outside in the run. Our temps don't usually get terribly cold like up north so it hasn't been a problem with them getting too wet/too cold.

 

[cairns3chooks]

I agree, getting absolutely soaked and cold is probably not good for them. Mine always seem to know when enough is enough though and will run for cover to prune and ruffle if they feel too wet. Ive not know one to voluntarily get itself soaked, so as long as shelter is always available (and crutially - make sure they know where to go to get it), I wouldn't worry

 

[Ridgerunner]

I always leave decisions like this up to my chickens except for chicks not yet feathered out that I’m raising in a brooder. If a broody hen is raising them, then she makes the decisions. I always leave the pop door open, regardless of weather.

As we all know chickens absolutely hate snow and refuse to have anything to do with it, except when they do.

As we all know chickens are in great danger if the weather gets cold. Those poor delicate things just can’t take cold weather. It was 4 degrees above zero Fahrenheit when I took this photo. The pop door was open, they chose to go outside and stay.

I don’t have any photos of my chickens absolutely soaked but there have been times I could take those if I’d grabbed the camera. They look really pathetic when they are truly soaked. When it is raining mine are normally out looking for worms the rain causes to come to the surface unless a strong wind is blowing. Then they usually seek shelter. If given the option chickens normally can take care of themselves.

But what you do is a personal choice. They are your chickens. If you want to keep them out of the rain, then do so if you can. I choose to let my chickens do what they prefer.